No ground worries for Eustace

DESSIE HUGHES is not too concerned about the prospect of heavy ground for Hardy Eustace in the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday week.

The nine-year-old was just touched off in third place behind Macs Joy 12 months ago and is building towards his bid for a hat-trick of victories in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.

“He should run well there, mind you they raced at Leopardstown on Sunday and the ground was bottomless,” said the trainer.